The convoy drove out of Wuguan Pass into a stretch of flat, open country. There were still signs of habitation near the pass, but the farther they went, the more desolate it became, until it gave way to the Barbarian Gobi, where neither birds nor beasts ventured.
The veteran escort Yang Chao rode at the very front, chatting idly with Shang Jianli, who was making his first trip to Liangzhou:
"The girls in Liangzhou have unusual tastes. A build like Brother She's really wouldn't appeal to any girls there. Frail scholars like you are the popular ones, Brother Shang. Back when the young boss escorted goods through Liangzhou, who knows how many female bandit chiefs had their eyes on him..."
"Oh? Really?"
"You bet. If the young boss hadn't been a good fighter, those women would probably have been snatching him back and forth by now, making him their stronghold husband several times over..."
Ye Jingtang heard all their rambling nonsense, but he was in no mood to tell Old Yang to stop talking crap.
Dressed as an ordinary escort, Ye Jingtang sat outside the carriage at the rear. Having eaten and drunk its fill, Niao Niao leaned beside him, looking as content as if to say, "If I eat a lamb leg in the morning, I can die happy that evening."
Inside the carriage, the Empress Dowager reclined on a small couch, still looking so frail that anyone would pity her. Hongyu held a bowl of plain congee, blowing on a spoonful to cool it before bringing it to the Empress Dowager's lips:
"Your Majesty, please eat a little more..."
Fan Qinghe sat beside her, carefully taking her pulse. Her brows remained knitted, and for a long while she said nothing.
Dongfang Liren sat opposite them, waiting. After